Are You Passionately Committed?
Good Morning Friends,
Scripture: Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.” Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.” Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.
2 Kings 2:1-14 (NRSV)
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3 (NRSV)
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Philippians 3:12 (NRSV)
Message: This morning we look at some lessons to be learned from the life of Elisha and Elijah. And as we study the passage, we want to be alert to the fact there is much to be seen in the personal working of God in the lives of these men to change and use them in His purposes. There are lessons to be learned which are not so obvious as in the parting of the waters of the Jordan…the overcoming of burdens and barriers. And though we do not do miraculous miracles today like they did we can experience the providential works of an intimate, personal and inborn God working in the normal events of life just as He can do today in our lives. These lessons are intended to enable us to keep the fire of passion for God burning in our lives and ministries. In the story Elisha is hounding Elijah because he knew it was time for Elijah to “go home”. The power that Elisha would need was not a problem. His power would come from God, but he would also need spiritual character to face the trials and pressures in those decadent times. He would need courage, endurance and loyalty. The story was designed to test these character qualities in Elisha and demonstrate his preparedness for the task before him. So after months of training and following Elijah, would Elisha be willing to continue? Or could he be persuaded to throw in the towel? Please note that three times Elijah asks Elisha to stay where they were while he journeyed on as commanded by the Lord: first from Gilgal to Bethel, then from Bethel to Jericho, and finally from Jericho to Jordan. At both Bethel and Jericho there were schools for the training of prophets, virtual seminaries for training young men to teach the Word and use their gifts for the Lord. Elijah was evidently the head of these schools and God was undoubtedly sending him to bid them farewell and to encourage them in their work before he was taken. Then we have the test of Elisha and his audacity to ask for a double portion (the firstborn son’s inheritance). And so too today’s message is about our callings and our commitment and our character and reaching a balance of self-interest and surrender. It is about our commitment to God and God’s commitment to us and our commitment to each other. And ultimate question is whether we are faithfully committed are only half-heartedly committed. Are we up to the job? And here we must face the reality that God wants surrender. He wants our commitment to extend beyond self to an experience with Him. So let the Holy Spirit give you a Christ like perspective, skill and attitude as you mature in faith hearing the prophecy that God has for you in scripture. Know that commitment turns dreams into realities. Friends, we cannot all be an Elijah or an Elisha. Regardless we need to know that God is looking for people full of passion who are willing to serve God by serving others. The reality is that Christ expects us to acknowledge Him before men….to love…to make a lifelong commitment. If we do we get a double portion of an abundant life.
Pray we have the courage to make a commitment. Pray we make a commitment to serve. Pray we have a sense of urgency. Pray we understand that keeping commitments builds trust.
Pray we have a lifetime commitment to God from the moment we first believe. Pray we trust God. Pray we continue to learn to grow in love of God and others. Pray that we pass on the truth with great patience and proper instruction. Pray we face the discouragement and the lack of commitment of others. Pray we have a commitment to one another. Pray though that we are not distracted. Pray we have a mission that gives us intentionality and purpose. Pray we keep up our passion for God and also our purpose. Pray we realize that serving God is much more than an emotional experience, more than great worship and good music, more than reading our bibles and praying, more than keeping ourselves righteous. Pray we realize that serving God is always about serving others. Pray therefor that our passion ignites the flame in others. Pray we share our passion. Pray we help others catch the passion of purposeful service. Pray we enjoy the passion of service that is balanced by spiritual renewal. Pray we experience of sense of destiny about our passion of service. Pray we are dedicated to Christ and the mission we have been given.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 